The predicting role of school Learned helplessness in internalizing and externalizing problems. An exploratory study in students with Specific Learning Disorder.

Research has shown a link between specific learning disorders (SLD) and both internalizing (e.g., anxiety and depression) and externalizing problems (e.g., anger and aggressive behavior). However, the predictive factors of these behaviors have not been examined in significant depth. The main purpose of the present study is, therefore, to investigate the possible presence of learned helplessness as the main predictor of the development of internalizing/externalizing problems in students. The present study also aims to verify whether there are differences between pre-adolescent students with and without SLD in terms of learned helplessness in school and the development of internalizing/externalizing problems. The sample consisted of 84 students, with an average age of 12.9 years (SD= 1.42). A total of 52 males (62 %) and 32 females (38 %) were divided into two groups, based on the presence of SLD (44 students with SLD and 40 without). The results showed that students with SLD demonstrated higher levels of internalizing problems. Further, although learned helplessness in a student was not a predictor of externalizing problems in the group without SLD, it was predictive of internalizing and externalizing problems in the group with it. The study’s results, directions for future research, and implications for the psychological wellbeing of students are also discussed.